The “German Pension” is in fact the implementation of an agreement between the Israeli and German governments, with no connection to the payments or reparations for Nazi persecution. The agreement was signed in 1973, and the last date to apply for a pension was fixed by the Germans at 13.6.83.
During the reading of the sentence, Judge Zecharia Caspi leveled harsh criticism at Israel Perry’s behavior over the years, saying that he did not act with integrity, “to put it mildly” and hurt others. He likewise used “fraudulent means and convoluted methods.
In addition to those who registered with Attorney Israel Perry’s organization, 8,000 registered with smaller organizations or through individual lawyers. “Some of the rivals copied our registration forms – including the printing errors”, attorney Israel Perry says. The kibbutzim also have their own organization. At Kibbutz Dovrat, for instance, 60 members already receive their German pension.
During the reading of the sentence, Judge Zecharia Caspi leveled harsh criticism at Israel Perry’s behavior over the years, saying that he did not act with integrity, “to put it mildly” and hurt others. He likewise used “fraudulent means and convoluted methods.
A large group of those originally registered with Israel Perry were subsequently disqualified by the Germans because they were late in submitting certain documents, such as proof of citizenship. Israel Perry did not accept this decision, and an appeal lodged by the organization’s German lawyer, Frank Reppenhagen, was successful. As a result, the organization is now processing the applications of about 8,000 persons whose rights had earlier been in jeopardy.
Among other things, Kremnitzer contends that the court misunderstood the commercial-economic aspect of Israel Perry’s activities and dealt with the interpretation of the witnesses’ emotions, even when they were not even called to testify. “In presenting itself as reading the innermost feelings of people who were not even witnesses in the trial, the court turned itself into a manufacturer of evidence against the accused, evidence that was nothing but gut feelings.”